Transport in the North Dakota Army National Guard
Transportation Specialists are the muscle behind the Guard’s operational agility, stateside and beyond. Moving equipment and personnel takes strength, energy and intelligence—qualities that define the Guard’s transport experts. In combat, these road warriors climb into monster vehicles with mounted weapons and dominate the roadways.
The Guard owns a vast fleet of 50,000 wheeled vehicles. During state emergencies, Guard drivers enter high-water vehicles and watercraft to lead rescue efforts, often arriving as the first sight of hope to those in need. With their strong blend of mind and muscle, transport Soldiers possess skill sets valued in the distribution industry.
Enlisted MOS Options
88H Cargo Specialist
OVERVIEW
Cargo Specialists help ensure Army National Guard forces receive supplies, weapons, equipment and mail—on a daily basis, all over the world. They are primarily responsible for transferring or supervising the transfer of passengers, cargo and equipment to and from air, land and water transport by manual and mechanical methods.
JOB DUTIES
- Inspect, count and document cargo utilizing both manual and automated data processing systems
- Load and unload supplies and equipment from ships, docks, beaches, railheads, boxcars, warehouses, motor vehicles and aircraft
- Operate and maintain all types and sizes of winches, cranes and forklifts
- Create load plans for air shipment and ocean liner vessels
- Operate ocean liner vessel equipment
TRAINING
Job training for a Cargo Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Advanced Individual Training: 8 weeks at Fort Eustis, VA
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Operation and care of forklifts, power winches, container handlers and cranes
- Techniques for loading and storing cargo
- Techniques for planning and scheduling cargo shipments
- Safety procedures for handling potentially dangerous cargo
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Experience operating heavy equipment such as container handlers, forklifts and cranes
- Interest in working around airports, railways, seaports and ocean beach terminals
- Preference for physical work
- Interest in business mathematics
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
General Maintenance (GM): 88
Learn more about the ASVAB.
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with trucking firms, air cargo companies and shipping lines. You’ll be able to consider a future as an industrial truck operator, stevedore, longshoreman, material handler or cargo checker.
88K Watercraft Operator
OVERVIEW
Watercraft Operators are primarily responsible for navigation, cargo operations and supervising other Soldiers on Army National Guard watercraft. They are part of a piloting team using electronic positioning systems, hand-held navigation tools and traditional watch-standing procedures aboard many of the Army National Guard’s watercraft.
JOB DUTIES
- Dock and undock vessels
- Send and receive messages with radios, beacons and signal flags
- Operate and maintain lifeboats and vessel firefighting equipment
- Secure all types of cargo using shipboard machinery such as capstans, winches, hoists and davits
TRAINING
Job training for a Watercraft Operator requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Advanced Individual Training: 6 weeks at Fort Eustis, VA
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Boat-handling techniques
- Watch-standing procedures
- Use of communications, electronics and navigational systems
- Ship structure
- Log and message-handling procedures
- Navigational mathematics
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in the ocean, sailing and navigation
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Basic understanding of maps and trip planning
- Understanding of mathematical formulas
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Mechanical Maintenance (MM): 99
Learn more about the ASVAB.
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
880A Marine Deck Officer
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career in shipping or on a cruise ship, tugboat or ferry operation. You’ll be able to consider a future as a pilot, harbormaster or marine resource enforcement officer.
88L Watercraft Engineer
OVERVIEW
Watercraft Engineers are primarily responsible for supervising or performing maintenance on Army National Guard watercraft and auxiliary equipment on marine vessels.
JOB DUTIES
- Perform daily systems checks
- Repair and maintain gasoline and diesel engines
- Troubleshoot and repair watercraft propulsion machinery
- Repair and service hoisting and lift machinery and engine-related electrical systems
TRAINING
Job training for a Watercraft Engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and nine weeks and two days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, VA with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Internal combustion engine theory
- Repair of electronic and electrical machinery systems
- Service and repair of fuel-injection systems
- Welding and machine shop fabrication
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in shop mechanics, fixing engines and machinery
- Ability to use hand and power tools
- Preference for physical work
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Mechanical Maintenance (MM): 99
Learn more about the ASVAB.
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
881A Marine Engineer Officer
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with marine transportation, commercial fishing, oil exploration, facility maintenance, heating and air conditioning, or diesel engine maintenance or repair. You’ll also be able to consider a future as a marine engine mechanic.
88M Motor Transport Operator (Truck Driver)
OVERVIEW
Motor Transport Operators are primarily responsible for supervising or operating wheel vehicles to transport personnel and cargo. They are the backbone of the Army National Guard’s support and sustainment structure, providing advanced mobility on and off the battlefield.
JOB DUTIES
- Operate all wheel vehicles and equipment over varied terrain and roadways
- Manage load, unload and safety of personnel being transported
- Oversee and check proper loading and unloading of cargo on vehicles and trailers
- Employ convoy defense techniques
- Identify, correct or report all vehicle deficiencies
- Prepare vehicles for movement/shipment by air, rail or vessel.
TRAINING
Job training for a Motor Transport Operator requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks and three days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in simulation; however, more than 200 training hours are spent in actual vehicles and field training environments.
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Experience in driver education
- Interest in driving and mechanics
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Operators & Food (OF): 85
Learn more about the ASVAB.
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with trucking, moving or bus companies, or with businesses that have their own delivery fleets. You’ll be able to consider a future as a tractor-trailer truck, tank truck, heavy truck or bus driver.
88N Transportation Management Coordinator
OVERVIEW
Transportation Management Coordinators are primarily responsible for scheduling and selecting the modes of transportation for personnel and equipment. They organize, plan and oversee the movement of those vehicles, personnel and cargo worldwide.
JOB DUTIES
- Mark and label cargo and freight shipments in accordance with regulatory requirements
- Document and inventory freight, cargo and material shipments of all types
- Perform system administrator duties such as installing software and uploading data to computer systems
- Prepare equipment, cargo and personnel for travel to airports, seaports and railways
- Request and coordinate transportation to meet a movement mission
TRAINING
Job training for a Transportation Management Coordinator requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks and one day of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gregg-Adams, VA with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in motor vehicles, aircraft and ocean liner vessels
- Experience in coordinating transportation
- Interest in planning events and working with people
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Clerical (CL): 95
Learn more about the ASVAB.
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
882A Mobility Officer
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with transportation and logistics companies.
88U Railway Specialist
OVERVIEW
Railway Specialists are primarily responsible for supervising and operating diesel-electric locomotives and related equipment. They also serve as crewmembers or brakemen in the makeup and movement of railway cars and trains.
JOB DUTIES
- Execute instructions received from signal towers, switches, other trains and trainmen
- Signal with fuses, hands, flags, lamps and engine whistles
- Perform car coupling and uncoupling operations
- Check lashing and bracing to assure safe hauling of cargo
- Administer lubrication orders on railway cars and make minor running repairs
- Verify seals and seal numbers on freight cars
TRAINING
Job training for a Railway Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks and three days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, VA with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Mechanical Maintenance (MM): 92
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with privately owned national railway chains or government-operated railroad companies.
88Z Transportation Senior Sergeant
OVERVIEW
The Transportation Senior Sergeant is responsible for supervising the personnel and operation of cargo by air, rail, motor transport and water. They are experts in all matters relating to railway operations, managing, coordinating and supervising the maintenance of Army watercraft. They also develop plans to protect the mechanical assets under their command.
JOB DUTIES
- Directs and coordinates personnel
- Supervises maintenance of vehicles
- Maintains records of personnel and equipment
- Prepares and implements truck company security and defense plans
- Assists in coordination and implementation of operations, administration, training programs and communications activities
TRAINING
The path to a Transportation Senior Sergeant typically begins with enlistment in other transportation MOS ranks: Cargo Specialist, Watercraft Operator, Watercraft Engineer, Motor Transport Operator, Transportation Management Coordinator, Railway Equipment Repairer, Railway Section Repairer or Railway Operations Crewmember.
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in logistics on land, water and air
- Desire to manage personnel and assets
- Clear communication skills
- Ability to work as a team member
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career in logistics or with privately owned or government-operated transportation or shipping companies.
Officer MOS Options
88 Transportation Officer
OVERVIEW
The Transportation Corps is responsible for moving supplies, troops and equipment anywhere on the globe. During war, the Transportation Corps utilizes trucks, boats and airplanes to provide extremely fast support to the combat teams on the front lines.
Transportation Officers are experts in the systems, vehicles and procedures of moving troops and supplies in the Army National Guard.
JOB DUTIES
- Command and control transportation operations and combined Armed Forces during land combat
- Coordinate employment of transportation Soldiers at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations
TRAINING
Job training for a Transportation Officer requires completion of the Transportation Basic Officer Leader Course, where you will learn leadership skills, tactics, maintenance and operational aspects of weapons and vehicles. Your training will take place in classrooms and in the field.
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Self-discipline
- Physical fitness
- Ability to perform under physical and mental pressures
- Ability to make decisions quickly and on your own
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with privately owned moving companies or freight operators.
Warrant Officer MOS Options
880A Marine Deck Officer
JOB DUTIES
- Command Guard vessels (Class A1) operating on lakes, bays, sounds and coastal waters
- Operate vessels with crews of up to 14 Soldiers, handling discipline of crew, readiness and seaworthiness of vessel
- Navigate vessel using nautical charts, area plotting sheets, compass, sextant, terrestrial bearings and electronic navigational aids
- Navigate vessel to avoid surface and underwater hazards, to include areas where ice is seen or reported
- Direct operation of ship-to-shore radio and visual communication systems
- Direct fueling, blasting, trimming operations and cargo stowage
MINIMUM PREREQUISITES*
- Be a Sergeant (E-5) or above
- Hold MOS 88K or:
- Have equivalent experience from other service components
- Have equivalent experience from the civilian sector with U.S. Coast Guard credentials, and be currently serving in a service component
- Have at least three years of documented marine experience in the Deck Department within the past five years (more years of documented marine experience may be considered in lieu of the five-year recency requirement)
- Score at the 12th-grade level, or above, on the mathematics portion of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
- Be certified in Career Management Field (CMF) 88 to grade per AR 56-9 if holding MOS 88K
- Have a physical profile of not less than 222221, have distance visual acuity correctable to at least 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye, and have normal color vision based on no more than four errors in reading the pseudoisochromatic plates test
- Have a written recommendation from a Senior Warrant Officer in either MOS 880A or 881A; if unit-level commander is a Warrant Officer, this memorandum serves the requirement for a commander’s endorsement and Warrant Officer letter
- Include a completed Marine Certification Form with physical in packet
*Any minimum prerequisites not met will require a prerequisite waiver in writing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Have one year of the prerequisite experience onboard a Class A Guard Vessel or equivalent class ship
- Be an Advanced Leaders Course (ALC) graduate
NOTE: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. Your local Warrant Officer Strength Manager has the most up-to-date information about job availability and bonuses in your state.
881A Marine Engineering Officer
JOB DUTIES
- Supervise and perform installation and repair of marine power plants, propulsion systems, heating and ventilation systems, and other mechanical plumbing and electrical equipment in ships and marine facilities
- Inspect ship and machinery to determine compliance with maintenance standards and/or to determine extent and nature of repairs required
- Maintain maintenance logbooks and prepare maintenance reports and work orders
- Implement The Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMS), as it applies to marine material
- Manage onboard vessels’ repair parts supply
MINIMUM PREREQUISITES*
- Be a Sergeant (E-5) or above
- Hold Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 88L, or 21P with ASI S2
- Have at least three years of documented marine experience in the Engineer Department within the past five years; more years of documented marine experience may be considered in lieu of the five-year recency requirement
- Score at the 12th-grade level, or above, on the mathematics portion of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
- Be certified in Career Management Field (CMF) 88 to grade per Army Regulation (AR) 56-9 if holding MOS 88L
- Have a written recommendation from a Senior Warrant Officer in either MOS 880A or 881A; if unit-level commander is a Warrant Officer, this memorandum serves the requirement for a commander’s endorsement and Warrant Officer letter
- Applicants must have a physical profile of not less than 222221, have distance visual acuity correctable to at least 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye, and have normal color vision based on no more than four errors in reading the pseudoisochromatic plates test
- Include a complete Marine Certification Form with physical, in packet
*Any minimum prerequisites not met will require a prerequisite waiver in writing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Have one year of the prerequisite experience onboard a Class A Army Vessel or equivalent class ship
- Be an Advanced Leaders Course (ALC) graduate
Note: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. Your local Warrant Officer Strength Manager has the most up-to-date information about job availability and bonuses in your state.
882A Mobility Officer
JOB DUTIES
- Plan, organize and supervise the movement, deployment and redeployment of Guard personnel and equipment
- Coordinate deployment, redeployment and transportation issues with joint, Guard and commercial agencies
- Provide technical interpretation and guidance on the use of transportation automation systems
- Coordinate training of unit personnel on the elements of their deployment and redeployment operations
- Advise and assist commanders and staffs on all facets of deployment and redeployment operations, as well as logistics (LOG) movements and support operations with the assigned battle space
- Hold Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 88N (other MOS allowed; contact your Warrant Officer Strength Manager)
Due to the large number of qualified applicants with under 12 years’ Active Federal Service (AFS) for 882A, the Transportation Proponency is discouraging applicants with over 12 years’ AFS from applying at this time.
MINIMUM PREREQUISITES FOR MOS 88N APPLICANTS
These prerequisites apply to all components (Active, Reserve and National Guard). An applicant can submit waivers for the prerequisites, as the National Guard will look at the whole Soldier in making a decision.
- Be an SGT (E-5) or above
- Have at least two years of documented experience in executing deployment and/or distribution operations
- Have a current Secret security clearance (interims are unacceptable)
- Have a written recommendation from a Senior Warrant Officer (CW3 or above), any MOS or any MOS 882A Warrant Officer; if unit-level commander is a Warrant Officer, this memorandum serves the requirement for a commander’s endorsement and Warrant Officer letter
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Be a graduate of the Unit Movement Officer Deployment Planning Course (UMODPC)
- Be a Battle Staff Course graduate
- Possess an associate degree from an accredited college or university
MINIMUM PREREQUISITES FOR ALL OTHER APPLICANTS
- Be a SGT (E-5) with a current Secret security clearance (interims are unacceptable)
- Be a graduate of the Unit Movement Officer Deployment Planning Course (UMODPC)
- Be a graduate of a Transportation Coordinator’s Automated Information for Movement System II (TC AIMS II) training course (online distributed learning [DL] course is not acceptable)
- Have at least two years of documented experience in executing deployment/redeployment and/or unit movement operations, regardless of MOS or service, after completion of UMODPC
- Have a written recommendation from a Senior Warrant Officer (CW3 or above), any MOS or any MOS 882A Warrant Officer; if unit-level commander is a Warrant Officer, this memorandum serves the requirement for a commander’s endorsement and Warrant Officer letter
- Physical profile of not less than 222221
- For Reserve Component applicants, a Letter of Recommendation (USAREC Form 1936) from a Mobility Officer (CW2 or above) is preferred; however, a recommendation from a CW3–5 Warrant Officer of any MOS is acceptable
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Be a graduate of the Mobilization Deployment Planning Course
- Be a Battle Staff Course graduate
- Possess an associate degree from an accredited college or university
- Possess a current hazmat certificate
NOTE: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. Your local Warrant Officer Strength Manager has the most up-to-date information about job availability and bonuses in your state.
